Showerthoughts

29786 readers

293 users here now

A "Showerthought" is a simple term used to describe the thoughts that pop into your head while you're doing everyday things like taking a shower, driving, or just daydreaming. A showerthought should offer a unique perspective on an ordinary part of life.

Rules

All posts must be showerthoughts
The entire showerthought must be in the title
Avoid politics
- 3.1) NEW RULE as of 5 Nov 2024, trying it out
- 3.2) Political posts often end up being circle jerks (not offering unique perspective) or enflaming (too much work for mods).
- 3.3) Try c/politicaldiscussion, volunteer as a mod here, or start your own community.
Posts must be original/unique
Adhere to Lemmy's Code of Conduct

founded 1 year ago

MODERATORS

vatlark@lemmy.world

forkball@lemmy.world

quinten@lemmy.world

Thekingoflorda@lemmy.world

385

It must confuse English learners to hear phrases like, "I'm home", instead of "I am at home." We don't say I'm school, or I'm post office. (lemmy.world)

submitted 7 months ago* (last edited 7 months ago) by ParabolicMotion@lemmy.world to c/showerthoughts@lemmy.world

165 comments fedilink hide all child comments

you are viewing a single comment's thread
view the rest of the comments

[–] barsoap@lemm.ee 1 points 7 months ago* (last edited 7 months ago)

Similar irregularities exist in Standard German (e.g. "Ich steige Stefansplatz aus", "I get off [at] Stefansplatz", when say driving the bus), and there's a whole sociolect that regularises it to also say "I'm going school". And, no, the "that noun is an adjective now" explanation doesn't really work in German.

Understanding those kinds of (usually informal) uses is trivial if you know the language, it's using them like a native that's difficult. Forget studying grammar they need to be learned by osmosis. Grammars linguists produce, even highly detailed ones, have a very hard time capturing the possibilities, what's acceptable when playing around with the language.